Elevational Dependence of Air Temperature Variability and Trends in British Columbia's Cariboo Mountains, 1950–2010. Issue 2 (14th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Aseem Raj; Déry, Stephen J.
• Is Part Of: Atmosphere-ocean. Volume 54:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 170
• Publication Date: 2016-03-14
• Subjects: mountain climate -- climate change -- elevational dependent warming -- Cariboo Mountains -- British Columbia; Ocean-atmosphere interaction -- Canada -- Periodicals; Ocean-atmosphere interaction -- Periodicals; Oceanography -- Canada -- Periodicals; Oceanography -- Periodicals; Meteorology -- Canada -- Periodicals; Meteorology -- Periodicals; 551.5246
• DOI: 10.1080/07055900.2016.1146571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0705-5900

Abstract

Abstract : Pristine mountain environments are more sensitive to climate change than other land surfaces. Climatic variations in mountainous terrain are still poorly understood. Previous studies revealed inconsistent findings on the elevational dependence of warming in the mountains. In this study, the trends and elevational dependence of air temperature in the Cariboo Mountains Region (CMR) of British Columbia are explored using a surface air temperature dataset with a spatial resolution of five arc minutes over the 1950–2010 period. A Mann-Kendall test is performed for evaluation of trends and their significance. In recent decades the CMR has been warming at a faster rate than regional and global warming. The minimum air temperature trend shows significant amplified warming at higher elevations. The snow–albedo feedback and changes in cloud cover over the CMR may possibly be the major physical mechanisms responsible for these trends. The implications of such changes on the endangered mountain caribou and water resources of the area are also discussed.